City opens second boat house along Chicago River

Chicago officials have opened the second of four boat houses along the Chicago River designed to boost recreational activity.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Ameya Pawar were among those who opened the facility Saturday.

The Clark Park Boat House cost more than $8 million, including $3.2 million private funding. It includes a floating boat launch dock and storage for kayaks and canoes.

Emanuel says the remaining facilities are expected to open next year and in 2015.

Emanuel announced the construction of the facilities in 2011 with the aim of making the river the city's “next recreational frontier.”

For years, Chicago officials have focused more on developing along Lake Michigan. Some of the challenge has been an image problem. Much of the Chicago River's volume is wastewater from sewage plants.